Coleman Wong Chak-lam has been tipped to enter his sixth Challenger Tour final on Sunday as a more pragmatic and single-minded competitor than the young man beaten on his five previous attempts to lift a trophy.
The Hongkonger survived a few sticky moments but was largely in control in his semi-final in Jiujiang on Saturday, overcoming Sun Fajing 6-3, 6-4 in one hour and 25 minutes.
In the final, he will meet Australian Adam Walton in a rerun of the pair’s US Open second-round clash last August, which Wong won in four sets.
“He has bigger aspirations than simply winning Challenger titles and he’s going to use this opportunity to improve for a fifth successive day, and to be best prepared for the challenges the main tour holds for him,” James Allemby, Wong’s coach, said.
“The final is just another stop on the journey towards maximising his potential. Previously, his perception of a final was far too romanticised, which creates mental hurdles.”
Coleman Wong, here in action against Bu Yunchaokete, is into the Jiujiang final without dropping a set. Photo: Weibo
Having already overcome Mikhail Kukushkin, the former world No 39, Japan’s Rio Noguchi and Bu Yunchaokete without dropping a set in the mainland China city, Wong maintained his unblemished record against Sun, who had won 11 of his previous 12 matches.
